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Edge of Bushido | Fantasy Samurai Caught Between Duty and Desire
You are a samurai: born to nobility, trained to serve, destined to die for your lord. But can you carve your own destiny?
TYPE
LEVELS
LANGUAGE
EXPERIENCE
AGE
$20.00
/ Session
Details
1 player following this game
Weekly / Tuesday - 11:00 PM UTC
Sep 29 / Session 12
Session Duration / 2.5–3.5 hours
Campaign Length / 5+ Sessions
5 / 5 Seats Filled
Top Game Master
One of StartPlaying's top-rated GMs, a player favorite and highly recommended.
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Schedule
Meet your party members
5/5
About the adventure
You've spent your entire life training for this moment - the day when you become recognized as a retainer for your noble lord, serving them just as your samurai ancestors have for a thousand years. It is all part of the natural order upheld by your people since the dawn of time, keeping the empire in balance and harmony. At least, that is what the imperial officials would have everyone believe. Behind closed doors, the powerful weave dangerous intrigues while anxious warlords prepare to bring their clans to open war. The spirits grow restless, and the great sages who harness their power to work their magic have no answers for the upheaval. A darkness grows at the edges of the empire as an ancient enemy completes its plans. Will the path of Bushido lead you to righteous victory? Will you abandon honor for the sake of victory? Or will you find your own path, somewhere along the edge?
Game style
Roleplay Heavy
Sandbox / Open World
Game themes
Meet the Game Master
5.0
(53)
3 years on StartPlaying
533 games hosted
Highly rated for: Creativity, Storytelling, Knows the Rules
Average response time: 2 hours
Response rate: 100%
About me
You want to play some roleplaying games? Me too! Way back in the late 1900s a buddy of mine got a D&D starter box for his birthday and got us all hooked. One of our parents caught wind of it and shut it down (thanks, satanic panic), but hilariously we managed to fast-talk them into letting us play White Wolf games instead and the rest is history. I come to the table with two decades of military experience and a background in formal wargaming, but don't be scared! My number one priority is creating a safe and inclusive environment (especially for marginalized folks), so if you don't know the first thing about tactics then I am happy to help your character become the kind of hero that ignites your imagination. On the other hand if you're hankerin' for a challenge then I am more than happy to make your hero earn their happy ending. I am a fervent believer that there is a table out there for everyone and that the right game can change your life in a real, meaningful way. My goal is to create a game where your choices matter in determining the outcome of the story. Is there a campaign you're itching to try or a system that you've always been curious about? Shoot me a note and let's see if we can't get it off the ground! Most of all I'm just freakin' excited to play!
View Profile →Character creation
Creating your character
While you are welcome to develop ideas for your character ahead of time, all players will complete their characters as a group activity prior to the beginning of play (Players who join after the game start will have time to introduce their prospective PC after running their concept by the existing group). All characters will begin as Rank 1 (beginner) samurai using the core character creation rules. I strongly encourage new players to choose major family backgrounds for ease of roleplay and setting integration, but other options (minor clans, ronin, foreigners) are available with prior approval. The Kolat Saboteur school is not allowed because of its antagonistic, PvP-centric playstyle.
What to expect
Preparing for the session
Players will need a computer capable of running the Foundry VTT and Discord. Before session 0 all players need to join the game's Discord server (link provided upon joining) and confirm they can log into the Foundry link provided. An understanding of the Legend of the Five Rings rules and lore is helpful but not necessary - all you need to know will be taught during gameplay.
What Nate brings to the table
I bring an automated Discord server, along with a Foundry game hosted on Forge that will have all the digital bells and whistles (digital dice, art, music, etc) for play. I also provide all the player options available for Legend of the Five Rings in the current core rules and supplements (Emerald Empire, Courts of Stone, Fields of Victory, Writ of the Wilds, Celestial Realms, Children of the Five Winds, Shadowlands, and Path of Waves). In-character text roleplay between sessions is also available through Discord.
Homebrew rules
The game will use the rules as written for 5th edition Legend of the Five Rings. Any modifications or table rules will be discussed in advance and agreed upon by unanimous consent.
Equipment needed to play
Internet
Computer
Microphone
Platforms used
Safety
How Nate creates a safe table
I host a Session 0 to cover the following: 1. Introductions 2. Safety tools for the game 3. Adventure overview 4. House rules The next hour will cover character creation for those still needing to make or modify one, followed by cross-character collaboration (determining what ties the characters have to each other, filling in gaps in backstories, etc). After a short break we'll conduct a prelude adventure to dive right into the campaign for the remaining game time. Communication is a process, so expect a pregame check-in to make sure everyone is in a good headspace for the session and a quick debrief to catch any concerns or immediate feedback at the end. The Discord channel is also open between sessions to help set conditions for the table.
Content warnings
Safety tools used